Slotted Hole Effect on Damage Mechanism of Gymnasium Building with RC Frame and Steel Roof

On the 
2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake, gymnasium buildings exhibited 
the unexpected structural damages, which prevented a use as evacuation shelters 
in during- and post-disaster periods. The major failure occurring on the connection between the RC column top and steel roof as well as 
the cracks in the RC column base was observed 
during the emergent inspection. According to the earlier studies, it was 
implied that the presence of the slotted hole possibly deteriorates the seismic 
capacity; however, the length of slotted hole was fixed at a certain value. 
Facing this concern, this research attempts to clarify the influence of the 
slotted hole length through a comprehensive parametric study by pushover and 
seismic response analyses. In conclusion, it has been discovered that the 
slotted hole deteriorates the seismic capacity for the connection failure up to 
almost 50% of that without slotted hole. Moreover, the discrepancy of 
characteristics obtained by the static and dynamic analyses is originated by 
means of the presence of slotted hole. This slotted hole effect should be noted 
by structural engineers and researchers to provide the adequate seismic 
diagnosis and strengthening.


Introduction
The 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake (hereinafter referred to as How to cite this paper: Suzuki 2,500 people are still missing. The main cause of their death was the tsunami followed by the strong shake, and the death caused by the building collapse was very little by virtue of the continuous efforts on the seismic diagnosis and strengthening [1].
In the meantime, the unique structural damage newly emerged in this earthquake. Particularly, the gymnasium buildings exhibited the structural fractures in the emergent inspection [2]. Generally, those spatial structures are utilized as evacuation shelters in the during-and post-disaster phases. However, they could not accommodate evacuees because of the safety reasons. This lesson learned implies the necessity of promoting the adequate seismic retrofitting for the relevant structures; and hence, the experimental investigation [3] [4] [5] [6] and analytical research [7] [8] [9] [10] had been accumulated in the Japanese society.
Most of those facilities consisted of RC frames and steel roofs assembled by anchor bolts at the column top. In addition, they possessed stiff gable ends filled with RC seismic walls. According to the report of Japan Organization of Advancing Construction Technology [2], the types of structural damages could be classified into: 1) connection failure at the column top, 2) concrete crack at the column base, 3) buckling of sub-truss, and 4) out-of-plane deformation of the seismic walls on gable ends.
In the field of seismic and structural engineering, it is fatefully important to secure the function of structures even after strong shakes, particularly those for utilized as the evacuation shelters. For this aim, the authors had continuously addressed the damage mechanism of the gymnasium building damaged by the GEJET [11] [12] [13]. On the other hand, our previous research implied that the presence of a slotted hole may cause the connection failure at less base shear by means of the stress concentration for the connection without slotted hole. However, previous literature [3]- [10] and our earlier research [11] [12] [13] have not addressed the various lengths of slotted hole. Therefore, the influence of slotted hole for the seismic capacity is still untouched in this field.
Based on the abovementioned discussion, this research conducts a comprehensive parametric study in terms of the length of slotted hole. The concerned structure is identical to our earlier research [11] [12] [13]. Through the pushover and seismic response analyses, this research summarizes the complex behavior and influence of slotted hole for the connection failure and damage of RC column. This research aims to provide the fundamental data of the seismic risk of similar types of structures to the international platform.

Framework of Analyses
In this paper, the eigenvalue analyses, pushover analyses, and seismic response analyses are demonstrated to investigate the seismic capacity in the static and The eigenvalue analyses are conducted to understand the characteristics of vibration modes of the concerned structure. The pushover analyses are carried out for clarifying the fundamental structural behavior and damage mechanism. Also, in the practical design, the pushover analyses are generally performed by virtue of their simplicity and time efficiency. Therefore, this research accumulates the analytical results to be compared with those by the seismic response analyses.
The seismic response analyses are demonstrated to precisely quantify the slotted hole effect caused by the complex vibration modes and resonance. In further, the expected gap between the pushover and seismic response analyses can be investigated based on the obtained results in this article.
The floor plan and details of the connection at the column top are, respectively, illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The concerned structure exhibited the connection failure presented in Figure 3 and concrete crack due to the bending moment. Our previous research [13] revealed that there was a damage mechanism issued from the discrepancy of horizontal stiffness between the gable end and center shore. In further, the obtained results agreed well with the actual damage [13].    Figure 4 illustrates the analysis model. A series of analyses are carried out by ABAQUS 6.14 [14], a finite element analysis software package. This research assumes the symmetricity of the structure and analyzes half of the frame as same as the earlier research [11] [12] [13]. Figure 5 illustrates the configuration and mass distribution of respective shore. The seismic walls in Shore-1 are modelled by braces.

Details of Analysis Model
The hysteresis of truss members is the bi-linear with the second modulus of k/1000, where k is the initial stiffness. However, it had been confirmed that they remained within the elastic range in this series of analyses. In terms of RC members, the trilinear model comprised the crack moment, M c , and the ultimate bending moment, M u , is assumed. To realize precise analyses, strengths of RC members are calibrated based on the finite element analyses on the respective RC columns and beams. The shear hysteresis of column top connection is determined as Figure 6(a). In the Shore-C, the connection possesses the bi-linear hysteresis, while Shore-M performs the slip-bilinear hysteresis due to the presence of slotted hole. Hereinafter, the analysis with the slotted hole length of d l (unit: millimeter) is designated as LH-d l in this research. In addition, this research covers from LH-0 to LH-140. The initial stiffness is determined referring the previous experiment [15]. The second modulus is assumed as k s /1000. The ultimate shear strength, Q u , is calibrated based on the ultimate tensile strength and shape factor of anchor bolts.
Regarding the moment-rotation relationship, the bi-linear hysteresis is assumed as depicted in Figure 6(b). The rotational stiffness, k r , and strength, M u , are calibrated in conformity to the guideline for the exposed column bases [16].
In this series of analyses, the connection reaches the ultimate shear strength prior to the ultimate bending strength. Therefore, this research judges the failure at which the shear force of the column top exceeds the ultimate shear strength, Q u .

Outline of Pushover Analyses
The external force is vertically distributed in accordance with AIJ's recommendation [17]. In addition, the magnitude of base shear is horizontally distributed based on the weight of respective shore. The load distribution is indicated in Figure 4.

Details of Seismic Response Analyses
In the seismic response analyses, Rayleigh damping is adopted for each structural member. The primary and secondary damping ratios are, respectively, 5% for RC members and 2% for steel members.
The input wave was recorded on March 11th in 2011 at National Institute of Technology, Sendai College, located 1.5 km apart from the concerned building. The NS-direction is utilized as same as the previous research [13]. Figure 7 illustrates the primary and secondary modes of the structure. In the primary mode, the steel roof and RC frame in Shore-C deforms horizontally, whereas the RC frame in Shore-M does not present the displacement. In the meantime, the secondary mode exhibits the horizontal displacement of Shore-M only. The natural periods of primary and secondary modes are, respectively, 0.456 sec and 0.317 sec. In further, it can be confirmed that the horizontal displacement tends to become larger from the gable end (Shore-1) to the center frame (Shore-6).

Damage Process of Reference Case (LH-35)
In this section, the analytical results of LH-35, which corresponds to the actual slotted hole length, are summarized as a reference case. Figure 8(a) and Figure   8(b) indicate the relation between the shear force of column top connection, Q, and deflection angle of column at 6 × C, δ/h. Here, δ denotes the horizontal displacement of column top and h designates the height of the column (=15,000 mm). Also, 6 × C means the location of Shore-6 versus Shore-C. Hereinafter, x × y represents the place of the Shore-x (x-direction) versus Shore-y (y-direction).
In addition, ▽ and ▼, respectively, indicate the connection failure at the Shore-C and Shore-M.
As described in Figure 8(a), the connection of Shore-1 originates the failure at δ/h = 0.0009 rad. After the connection failure at Shore-1, the shear force of Shore-2 begins to increase rapidly. This is because Shore-2 receives larger restraint from Shore-1 by the RC beams. Eventually, the connection failure occurs from the gable end side by means of the identical damage mechanism.  Regarding Shore-M illustrated in Figure 8(b), the shear force begins to enlarge at around δ/h = 0.002 rad, and the connection failure is originated from Shore-1. Subsequent connection failure happens with the identical order with Shore-C. Figure 9 exhibits the relation between the bending moment at the column base of 2nd story and deflection angle of the column in Shore-6. The crack moment, M c , and ultimate bending moment, M u , are depicted in Figure 9. In Figure 9(a), the discrepancy of bending moment is not prominent among 3 × C to 6 × C and the column base reaches the ultimate bending strength at an almost identical deflection angle of connection failure of 3 × C.
In respect with Shore-M exhibited in Figure 9(b), the bending moment rapidly enlarges from δ/h = 0.0025 rad, at which the slip displacement of connection exceeds the length of slotted hole. The skeletons of Shore-3 to Shore-6 become almost identical, and reach the ultimate bending moment at an identical deflection angle of connection failure of 3 × M.

Influence of Length of Slotted Hole for Structural Capacity
The relation of base shear, Q/W, and deflection angle, δ/h, is indicated in Figure  10(a). Here, Q is the sum of applied shear force and W is the total weight of the structure. The deflection angle of rapid stiffness enlargement differs considerably depending on the length of slotted hole. In Figure 10(a), the connection failure is indicated in the case of LH-35. Figure 10(b) illustrates the transition of base shear at which the connection failure occurs arranged by the length of slotted hole. In LH-0, largest base shear is demonstrated because Shore-C and Shore-M resist the external force in parallel. With an increase in the length of slotted hole, the base shear at the connection failure decreases; and eventually, it converges in LH-70. The base shear drops up to almost 50% when the length of slotted hole becomes long enough.
The slotted hole needs to be settled for absorbing the construction error and heat shrink and expansion. However, this deterioration of seismic capacity should be noted among structural engineers and researchers.    Figure 11(a) and Figure 11(b), respectively, indicate the maximum displacement of column top in Shore-C and Shore-M arranged by the length of slotted hole.

Influence of Slotted Hole Length for Displacement of Column Top
In Figure 11(a), the maximum displacement is measured in Shore-6 in all cases. Within the range of series of analyses, smallest displacement is performed in LH-17.5, while largest one is originated in LH-26.25. This fluctuation is inferred to be caused by the resonance with the seismic wave. The horizontal displacement of Shore-3 to Shore-6 gradually converges into about 43 mm in longer lengths of slotted hole.
In Figure 11(b), within the slotted hole length of 0 mm to 17.5 mm, the maximum displacement is negatively proportional to the length of slotted hole.
However, in longer lengths of slotted hole, the displacement tends to decrease in Shore-2 and Shore-3, whereas it gradually enlarges in Shore-4, Shore-5, and Shore-6. This is explainable by the following mechanism.
In Shore-2 and Shore-3, the frames receive larger restraint from Shore-1,  which is filled with the seismic walls. In addition, the inertia force is not carried from the steel roof due to the longer length of slotted hole. The maximum displacement in Shore-2 and Shore-3, therefore, becomes smaller in longer slotted hole length. Regarding Shore-4 to Shore-6, the RC column receives less restraint from the gable end; and eventually, the secondary mode depicted in Figure 7(b) prominently appears during the excitation. Moreover, the vibration as a cantilever is not confined by the steel roof. Hence, the different characteristics among the shores are demonstrated depending on the slotted hole length. Figure 12(a) and Figure 12(b) illustrate the relation between the maximum shear force of column top connection and length of slotted hole.

Influence of Slotted Hole Length for Shear Force of Column Top Connection
In Figure 12(a), the shear force reaches the ultimate shear strength in Shore-1 and Shore-2 regardless of the length of slotted hole. Figure 12(a) proves that the identical damage mechanism revealed in the earlier research [13] and the previous chapter is demonstrated in the dynamic analyses.
In LH-0, the connection failure does not occur from Shore-3 to Shore-6 by virtue of the contribution of Shore-M resisting the applied shear force in parallel.
In LH-17.5, the connection of Shore-5 and Shore-6 reaches the ultimate shear strength. This value is almost twice of the one in LH-0. In the pushover analysis summarized in the former chapter, the connection failure occurred from the gable end side; however, the connection failure in Shore-6 appears prior to Shore-3 and Shore-4 in the seismic response analysis.
In larger slotted hole length, the shear force in Shore-3 gradually enlarges; and in LH-35. In longer lengths of slotted hole, all connections firstly remain within the elastic range in LH-70, and the connections do not carry the shear force in LH-105. In Figure 12(b), the large shear force of center frame in LH-8.75 to LH-35 is inferred that there is a different mechanism in the dynamic analyses. Figure 13 indicates the time-history response of Shore-6 in LH-35. The duration is extracted from 30 sec to 40 sec, at which the first main shock strikes the structure. In Figure 13(a), it can be confirmed that the vibration phase of Shore-C and Shore-M differs each other, which proves the independent shake among the shores. This gap causes the collision between the anchor bolts and edge of slotted hole. Hence, as indicated in Figure 13(b), the shear force exhibits rapid enlargement; and eventually, this pulse originates the connection failure.
This collision effect cannot be modelled in the static analyses; therefore, a particular attention is necessary to conduct the seismic diagnosis and strengthening adequately.

Influence of Slotted Hole Length for Maximum Bending
Moment at Column Base Figure 14 indicates the relation between the maximum bending moment at column base and length of slotted hole. In Figure 14(a), the maximum bending moment is almost consistent regardless of the slotted hole length. In addition, the bending moment is almost identical among Shore-3 to Shore-6, which corresponds to the results of the pushover analyses. In Figure 14(b), the maximum bending moment presents the similar trend with that in Figure 11(b). This is because the previously stated unique mechanism in the dynamic analyses also affects the bending moment of the column base.
The above discussion corroborates that the presence of a slotted hole causes the discrepancy between the results obtained from the static and dynamic analyses. The structural engineers and researchers are strongly recommended to devote the attention to this phenomenon for preventing the unexpected structural damage and keeping the function of critical facilities even after huge earthquakes. Open Journal of Civil Engineering

Conclusions
This research carried out the pushover analyses and seismic response analyses to reveal the influence of the slotted hole length for the damage mechanism. The remarkable findings are summarized as follows.
1) The slotted hole originates the lag until the connection performs the shear force. Therefore, the connection without slotted hole possibly fails before the one with slotted hole begins to resist the shear force.
2) The connection with slotted hole can fail by the rapid enlargement of shear force by means of the collision between the anchor bolts and slotted hole edge.
3) The presence of a slotted hole makes significantly different characteristics between the static and dynamic analyses. The simple method to reflect the slotted hole effect is highly demanded to bridge this discrepancy.
In the future research, the authors will propose and verify the damage prevention design method of slotted hole through generalizing the relevant types of structures.